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A Summary of the Issues Addressed by the Hawkeye Area Chapter of the ACLU of Iowa
2008
- Security cameras in the restrooms of the Iowa City Public Library.
- Iowa City’s police traffic stop quotas.
- The impeachment of President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
- A statewide optical scan paper ballot system.
- A civil liberties complaint regarding a small town police chief.
- The appointment of a new Iowa City city manager.
2007
- Iowa City’s Police Citizens’ Review Board Ballot Initiative.
- The interviews of “Mexican” students at a small town high school.
- A Cedar Rapids school lockdown.
- An Iowa City Parks & Recreation hosted “Drama Ministry” Course.
- Iowa legislation eliminating post-conviction relief for simple misdemeanors.
- A national drug database including individuals and their prescription drugs.
- Changes in Iowa City’s Possession of Alcohol Under the Legal Age ordinance.
2006
- A GLBT issue at an Iowa City junior high school.
- Johnson County’s human rights ordinance.
- Iowa City’s Police Citizens’ Review Board.
- The arrest for “interference with official acts” of a participant in an Iowa City “take back the streets” demonstration.
- A “Bible as Literature” course taught at an Iowa City high school.
- A public high school graduation award conferred by a religious organization and described using evangelical Christian language.
- “Intelligent Design” and the Muscatine School Board.
2005
- A Chuck Colson Prison Fellowship Ministries program in an Iowa prison.
- An “Angel of Hope” statue constructed in Iowa City’s City Park.
- Sex education in the Springville public school system.
- The practice of Marion’s police of requesting urine tests from all present in a private home following police suspicion of drug use.
- The flying of flags at half-mast upon the death of the pope.
- The selection of the Iowa City police chief.
- The so-called “Academic Bill of Rights” that infringes upon the very academic freedom that it purports to defend.
- The lack of familiarity of the current generation of high school students with their first amendment rights.
2004
- The problem of underage drinking in Iowa City and the high number of PAULA convictions.
- Parental complaints regarding two stories assigned by a Solon teacher that presented gays in a positive light.
- Iowa City’s use of public surveillance cameras to protect its numerous Herky statues.
- The use of saliva drug testing as a replacement for urine testing (~7% of the population suffer from paruresis, i.e., shy bladder syndrome – the inability to produce a urine sample on demand).
- Johnson County jail issues.
- Changes to the Iowa City Code (Title 10) relating to demonstrations, parades, and picketing on public property.
- The University of Iowa’s Stepping Up Project whose goal is to reduce drinking by UI students.
- The Marion School District’s use of public money for the purchase of religious materials for home schoolers.
- The federal government’s No-Fly List.
2003
- The impact of the USA PATRIOT Act on civil liberties – especially Section 215, which requires that libraries and bookstores turn over patron records to law enforcement agents upon request.
- The civil liberties implications of actions taken by the U.S. government against the protestors who served as human shields against the Iraq War.
- The objections of some parents to the distribution of Bibles by the Gideons on public school sidewalks.
- Encouragement of the posting of a USA PATRIOT Act warning sign in the Iowa City Public Library.
- The high percentage of University of Iowa students arrested for alcohol violations (higher than on comparable campuses).
2002
- The leasing of land by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for purposes of establishing a Muslim Youth Camp.
- Iowa’s registered sex offender “two thousand foot rule.”
- Alleged overly restrictive eligibility requirements for participation in extracurricular activities at Springville’s public schools.
- Concerns about choir performances in Mount Vernon’s public schools that included musical compositions with a decided Christian message, e.g., “Walk on the Water Peter” and “Walk to Jesus.”
- A Muscatine Public School “lock down” and the alleged use of questionable procedures.
- Privacy concerns related to the Iowa City Public Library’s requirement of the names and phone numbers of six attendees before its meeting rooms can be reserved.
- The denial of a free meal by the Salvation Army as a result of the unwillingness of an individual to remove his cap.
- Plans to place video cameras in the hallways of Iowa City’s City High School.
2001
- The practice in Cedar County of allowing a crčche to be displayed on its courthouse lawn each Christmas.
- A suit filed by an individual whose medication was taken away while detained at the Linn County Jail.
- The post-September 11th climate that has resulted in profiling, stereotyping, and harassing of non-citizens.
- The case of an individual found guilty of OMVUI, who was required to sign a release as one condition of his sentence that appeared to revoke his constitutional rights of privacy.
- An apparent housing discrimination case in Keokuk.
- The alleged use of hate speech on Iowa City’s radio station KCJJ by two early morning announcers.
- The removal of the Ten Commandments plaque/monument from the Johnson County Courthouse lawn.
- The use of public school facilities by organizations such as the Boy Scouts, which do not have a non-discrimination policy.
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